If you only know Juan Pablo Di Pace as the flamboyant, tango-dancing Fernando from Fuller House, you’re basically missing three-quarters of the picture. Honestly, it’s a common trap. People see the comedic timing and the "over-the-top" charm on a Netflix sitcom and assume that's the whole brand. But the reality of Juan Pablo Di Pace movies is way more complex—and a lot darker—than the Gibbler-home-renovator persona suggests.
He’s an Argentine-born multi-hyphenate who spent years grinding in the UK and Spain before Hollywood even knew his name. We’re talking about a guy who played Jesus Christ in a massive NBC miniseries and then turned around to write and direct one of the most intimate queer coming-of-age films in recent memory.
The Breakthrough: Mamma Mia! and the Survival Years
Most fans don't realize his big-screen journey didn't start in Los Angeles. It started in London. If you go back and watch the 2008 mega-hit Mamma Mia!, you’ll spot him. He plays Petros, the partner of Harry Bright (Colin Firth). It’s a small role, sure, but being part of a $600 million global phenomenon isn't a bad way to kick things off.
Before the Greek islands and ABBA, he was doing the gritty work. You’ve probably never heard of Survival Island (also known as Three), but it’s a 2005 survival thriller starring Billy Zane and Kelly Brook. Juan Pablo plays Manuel. It’s a messy, high-stakes movie about three people stranded on a desert island. It isn't exactly high art—critics weren't kind—but it showed he could handle more than just a song-and-dance routine.
He also popped up in Aftersun (2006), a British TV movie where he played Felipe. These early projects are fascinating because they show a performer trying to find his lane. Was he the "exotic" thriller lead? The musical theater guy? He was doing it all.
From Dallas to the Messiah
By 2014, things shifted. He landed the role of Nicolas Treviño in the reboot of Dallas. He brought this sleek, dangerous energy to the show that felt worlds away from anything he’d done in the UK.
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Then came A.D. The Bible Continues in 2015.
Playing Jesus is a massive weight for any actor. Di Pace took it seriously, winning a Grace Award for his performance. It’s arguably one of the most underrated depictions of the figure in modern cinema/TV history because he focused on the humanity rather than just the holiness. If you look at the trajectory of Juan Pablo Di Pace movies and shows, this was the moment he proved he had the dramatic "heavier" lifting capabilities that a sitcom like Fuller House would later hide behind laughs.
Why Before We Forget Is the Career Game-Changer
Now, this is where it gets personal. In 2024, Juan Pablo released Before We Forget (originally titled Duino). This isn't just another acting gig. He wrote it. He co-directed it with his childhood best friend, Andrés Pepe Estrada. He edited it.
It’s a "meta" film about an Argentine filmmaker named Matias (played by Di Pace) who is struggling to finish a movie about his first love. That first love was a Swedish boy named Alexander whom he met at a boarding school in Italy back in the 90s.
"Don't listen to anyone. Make the movie you want to make because ultimately it is yours." — The late Norman Lear to Juan Pablo Di Pace.
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The legendary Norman Lear actually executive produced this project before he passed away. Think about that. One of the greatest television minds in history saw something in this specific, intimate story. The film uses real VHS footage from Juan Pablo’s actual teenage years. It’s raw. It’s nostalgic. It’s a movie about the "just-out-of-reach" lover that everyone has in their past.
If you want to understand the artist, you have to watch this. It swept awards at festivals like Rio LGBTQIA+ and NewFest for a reason. It’s not just a "gay movie"—it’s a memory movie.
Breaking the Hallmark Mold
Lately, he’s been a staple in the "elevated" holiday and romance genre.
- Dashing in December (2020) was a huge deal because it was one of the first major LGBTQ+ Christmas movies to really focus on a grounded, rural romance. He played Heath, a ranch hand.
- Branching Out (2024) saw him playing T.J. Cruz in a Hallmark project about a woman finding her daughter’s biological father through a DNA kit.
- My Argentine Heart (2025) brings him back to his roots, playing Diego.
There’s a specific "Hallmark-y" polish to these, but Juan Pablo tends to bring a certain soulfulness that prevents them from feeling like cookie-cutter productions. He knows how to play the romantic lead without making it feel like he’s just reading lines off a teleprompter.
What's Next and How to Watch
So, where should you start? If you want the full "Juan Pablo experience," don't just binge Fuller House.
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- Watch Before We Forget for the heart. It’s his directorial debut and clearly his most personal work.
- Check out The Mattachine Family (2023). He plays Oscar in this queer drama about chosen family and the desire to be a parent. It’s a beautiful, understated performance.
- Revisit A.D. The Bible Continues to see the range.
The most interesting thing about his career right now is the pivot to directing. He has two more feature films in development, including New Boy. He’s moving away from being the "talent for hire" and becoming a creator who calls the shots.
Whether it's a big-budget musical or an indie film shot on the Adriatic coast, the common thread in all Juan Pablo Di Pace movies is a refusal to stay in one box. He’s a dancer who acts, an actor who sings, and a singer who directs.
To keep up with his latest releases, your best bet is following his production updates via his official site or checking the festival circuits. Before We Forget is the priority—it’s the project that finally bridges the gap between the performer the world sees and the person he actually is.
Actionable Next Steps
- Track Down the Indies: Many of his best works, like The Mattachine Family and Before We Forget, are currently hitting VOD platforms or specific streaming services like Paramount+ or Peacock depending on your region.
- Watch the Shorts: Before he made feature films, he directed shorts like Admission and La Belleza. These are often available on Vimeo or his official website and give a great preview of his visual style.
- Check the Credits: Next time you watch a music video (like the iconic "Call On Me" by Eric Prydz), look closer—that's him. Seeing his early work as a dancer helps explain the physicality he brings to his later movie roles.